Test drives

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C60three

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V60
Hi. I've just posted this question on another thread (which is off topic). How long should I expect to drive a car for? Is is 'normal' for the salesman to accompany you for the drive?
Whenever I have test driven cars in the past I've never had more than 15mins behind the wheel and never been trusted to drive on my own!
Thanks
 
Most have a set route which is an accompanied test drive, lasting anywhere between 15-45 mins.

In an ideal world, you could take the car and enjoy yourself for an hour, or a weekend, but from a sales point of view it's not very beneficial and generally just gives people opportunity to kick the life out of the car for a while.
 
I don't think there is a norm. I remember years ago dealers of the more expensive marques would loan a car out for a weekend. Don't do that nearly as much I suspect.

I've never driven a car for more than 15 minutes I don't think, and can think of quite a few that I had not driven at all. One in particular was a huge leap of faith that came good thankfully.
 
I was given a Jaguar for 24 hours on one occasion and went on to buy.
I was also given the keys to a Lexus on two occasions and told to bring it back when I had finished. I didn't proceed to purchase.
All other occasions have been accompanied for upto 45 minute test drives.
I think that a 24 hour test should be acceptable for a relatively high value purchasing decison.
 
Different dealers have different policy. Depending on have they got a demo that is registered and taxed, if they do, you should able to arrange an extended test drive.

All you need to do is ask....
 
Nearly 10 years ago i was interested in a BMW 7 series that was in the dealers (wasnt on the forecourt, but a part-ex they had taken in that was about 6 years old). I was told i could have a look at it, start it and drive it on the forecourt but not take it on the road.

About 2 years ago i expressed interest in a new S65 at the Merc dealers and asked if i could borrow or even hire it for the weekend to get a feel of it. That was politely declined but i was told that the salesman would come with me for a couple of hours if i wanted to take it up and down the motorway or something. This was Leeds Merc dealers, and all i could think of at the time was:-

1. Who was going to fuel it up?
2. And can i make it to London and back in a couple of hours???

Different dealerships, different priced cars and different experiences. But the way i look at it, as mentioned above, the more expensive the car the longer the test drive should be. If you were to buy a used car from a private seller you usually get about 10-15 mins drive around the block and thats usually the accepted time limit, and i suppose even dealers work off the back of that (time equals money etc etc).

Though i suppose i was very lucky when i bought my S55 as the guy let me drive/thrash it around for about 2 hours to make sure i was happy with everything.
 
My local dealer just gives me the keys and lets me go for as long as I like. I normally have them for a couple of hours. They just ask that I bring it back before they close. Had the c63 demo for the most morning.

Actually its the Same for the local audi, bmw and vw garages. But I have bought several cars from them all in the past.
 
When I bought the current MB, I had a C250 for an hour (accompanied) and then, the next day but at another dealer, a C350 for a day to myself. All I had to do was stick some fuel back in that one.

Prior to that I drove a Jag XF for 45 mins, and then 2 weeks later I went back and asked for a 2nd drive and got another 45 mins. Before that I also drove a BMW 330 Coupe but the salesman was not too friendly and gave me about 20 mins. I did not like him or his attitude and dismissed the car from any thoughts. I did seriously consider buying the Jag, but eventually changed to the C Coupe due to a change in personal circumstances.

For me, something approaching an hour is the minimum I want and it seems to be ok with these sorts of cars (my local BMW delaer apart!), but the whole day is frankly ideal!
 
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Audi were the best when they were trying to sell me a RS6 v10 twin turbo . Dropped it of to me on Friday and collected it on Monday !!
 
The Audi dealership in Reading let me borrow an A7 for an afternoon recently, no questions asked.
 

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